Kiwanis was founded in Detroit, Michigan, on January 21, 1915, and became an international organization in 1916 with the organization of the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Ontario. We now have about 8,000 clubs in 96 countries. Kiwanians are volunteers changing the world through service to children and communities. Kiwanis members help develop youth as leaders, build playgrounds and sponsor youth events that emphasize exercise and health, support pediatric research, and much more.

On November 6, 1980, the Kiwanis de Amigos was officially chartered by Kiwanis International. Kiwanis de Amigos has been involved in a broad range of activities that focus on serving youth in the community over the last 33 years. Examples of our community activities include:

Worked with the Tucson Police Department in distributing brochures on child sex abuse,

Sorted food received through the U.S. Postal Service’s annual food drive for the local food bank,

Supported the Reid Park Zoo in the construction of a new lion house,

Sponsored basketball and other events associated with Special Olympics,

Worked with Big Brothers/Big Sisters on their annual picnic and other activities,

Assisted with Tucson Marathon and Pima County Immunization Clinic,

Supported Christmas shopping spree for 22 school children,

Coordinated a special picnic at the Arizona Children’s Home,

Sponsored Fit Kids for Walter Douglas Elementary School with annual awards for outstanding athletes (based on competition for laps),

Participated in the C.A.R.E. Fair, and

Sponsored Kiwanis organizations at the elementary (K-Kids), high school (Key Clubs), and university (Circle K as faculty adviser) levels.

The club has a diverse group of 30 members. Kiwanis de Amigos started the Relays in 2001 and Rattlesnake Run in 2002. Due to the focus on the health and self esteem of young children, these two events have continued to be our major undertakings during the year.